Dilemma...to use or not to use, do I sell?

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acastell

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So, the attached knife (edited: no picture attached, do not know how. you can see the knife at Chuck's website http://cgknives.blademakers.com/ and look under Example Knives labeled Folding Bowie) Chuck Gedraitis' version of an old school folding bowie is causing me grief. I love the blade, size, stag quality, filework, damascus etc on this knife. But, the damascus is not stainless steel. Also, with a 14k gold thumbstud that has been fileworked along with the screws, liners and backbar (inside and out), I cannot bring myself to use this knife.

So, I actually posted this for sale a few days ago and fortunately the post dissappeared. So, I now have a second chance to review my decision. I am not a collector and I want to carry my knives, this one however has yet to leave the drawer.

Do you find it difficult to keep non stainless damascus up to snuff with everyday use, including kitchen duty? Should I sell the knife and buy a stainless example from Chuck?


AC
 
think it's difficult to use that damascus for kitchen duty, unless you're prepared to be diligent about oiling the knife every day and not leaving it unwashed and unoiled after use. My view is that kitchen duty calls for stainless.
 
Combine and get stainless damascus. I have a nice paring knife out of a scrap from one of my friends. No extra maintainance and very pretty! I like carbon steels the best in the kitcen just because the patina nicely and easily resharpen. If you won't carry and use it - you are a collector and just won't admit it:)
 
We have a couple of stainless damascus kitchen knives. They don't require any extra maintenance. We even wash them in the dishwasher. :) It looks like he uses stainless damascus from both Devin Thomas and Mike Norris. Most of Norris' steel has D2 in it, which may rust if not properly cared for.
 
That IS a nice knife. Any knife will wear and decrease in value if you use it. Can you afford a $750 knife for everyday use? If so, use it, enjoy it, and don’t look back. If not, collect it or sell it. It should last a long time if you take proper care. Oil the blade. Try not to drop it and crack the stag. The thumbstud will wear over time, but you can get it replaced if you need to. I think you will enjoy the knife more if you use it. :)
 
He makes fine knives. It would be a shame for it to gather dust in a drawer somewhere. :)
I don't have any art folders yet, but I use my most expensive one. A customized Darrel Ralph Madd Maxx. I baby it a little, but it sees use. The DLC coat makes that an easier decision that damascus.
I'd use it. Put a coat of Rennaissance Wax on the blade, and wipe it down if you cut anything wet. Avoid cutting acidic foods (fruit, tomatoes) that might stain. I highly doubt you'll do much damage with daily use unless you are hard on your knives. And you can always carry two knives. I do. :)
 
Great feedback, thank you! So, I swear, I am not a collector, no really, I am not!

Sales not allowed in this forum and without an appropriate membership subscription. This is the second time you have tried. Please refrain from those types of actions.

Gus Kalanzis
(Your original post was copied to the mod forum before editing).

If there is any more feedback for me to keep it, do post!
 
Well, if you really like the knife and want to keep it, you might want to contact BodyCote and see if they can put one of their transparent coatings (some Cr?) on it to provide protection. Just a thought.
 
Sure, contact Chuck and ask him to price what it would cost to replace the current blade with a nice Mike Norris or Devin Thomas stainless....and the bolsters with stainless if you want that also.

I don't know how backed up Chuck is, but one of the benefits of working with a custom maker is his/her flexibility to provide exactly, within reason, what you want. I don't think it is unreasonable to discuss the change out of the blade and maybe the bolsters also. Cheap? No, but Chuck may be able to reuse the exhisting blade and/or bolsters and, while he needs to make aliving, his cost might not be as high as you think.

The upside:you will have exatly the knife you want. The downside is that with the additional cost for the changes, you might not be able to sell it for what you have totally invested in the knife...however, if it is what you what, you indicated a desire to use it which will reduce the potential resale value any how.
Good luck! It is a beautiful piece!
 
acastell, this is not the place to buy and sell. BUY A GOLD MEMBERSHIP and use the correct forum.
 
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